Stretching over 300 miles across southern Norway, the legendary Oslo–Bergen railway is more than a route between two cities, it’s a journey through the country’s heart. Linking Norway’s capital with its famously beautiful west-coast city, this 22-station line is often hailed as one of the world’s most breathtaking train rides. From valleys to deep fjords to frozen lakes and snow covered mountains, the train journey passes through a variety of breathtaking landscapes.
Lasting about seven hours from start to finish, the Bergen Railway Line or Bergensbanen is also the highest rail route in northern Europe and crosses the Hardangervidda plateau, Europe’s largest high mountain plateau. Originally completed in 1909, the line was a triumph of early 20th-century engineering, overcoming extreme weather and challenging terrain.
The Bergen Railway passes through an impressive 182 tunnels, including the famous Finse Tunnel, which sits at over 1,200 meters above sea level.
There are about five departures every day and four during the winter. The journey begins in Oslo, Norway’s capital, where urban life meets scenic fjords and forests then continuing to Drammen with wide valleys, Norway’s fifth largest lake and incredible mountains.
The train stops at first main stop at cities, several small towns and villages, such as Voss, Myrdal, and Finse.
At Myrdal, travellers can also connect to the famous Flåm Railway, which descends steeply to the Aurlandsfjord, offering another breathtaking journey.
The train offers comfort and a wide range of amenities, including a café, a family carriage with its own playroom, an onboard Wi-Fi network, power outlets, comfortable seats, and even beds for those travelling overnight with the PlusNight ticket option.
European train travel TikTok account, train.europe, which has 27.3K followers has called this journey a ‘masterpiece’ and said that it is considered one of the “most spectacular” in the entire continent.
The TikTokker described the train journey seen from the window as a “painting” where you’ll see “pine forests, glacial lakes, snow capped hills and majestic glaciers.”
One TripAdvisor user wrote about the train journey: “The time went by so quickly. The seats were spacious and comfortable. The changing scenery was amazing. It was spring to winter and back to spring in a few hours. Mid journey is a ski resort. Very remote. The area was used to film the ice planet, Hoth, in ‘The Empire Strikes Back.”
Someone else from Bristol said: “What a wonderful train ride. More than my expectations. I can see why it is on the list of the best train rides in the world. Amazing scenery.”
Rhiannon from Bournemouth added: “If you are travelling around Norway and love nature and landscapes, I cannot recommend this train journey more. I had heard about the amazing views and was not disappointed. It is incredibly beautiful and I loved it.”
